If he's healthy, you would have to assume that newly re-signed linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa will have the first chance to win Chicago's starting strongside position. That's how the Bears began last season, and if they were completely confident in replacement Nick Roach, it's unlikely they would have brought back Tinoisamoa on Monday.

TinoisamoaSpeaking about the position at the NFL owners meeting last month, Bears coach Lovie Smith noted four candidates for the job: Roach, Jamar Williams, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Tinoisamoa. Smith, however, said he considers Hillenmeyer best suited to play middle linebacker and that Williams would be better off on the weak side.

Smith said Roach "will probably be the first guy there" but added that if Tinoisamoa re-signed, "we'll start reshuffling some things."

Tinoisamoa missed most of last season because of a knee injury. But if he can remain healthy, I'm guessing the Bears will want to see if he can provide a stronger and more experienced presence than Roach when training camp begins this summer.